Russia eyes productive completion of next round of Iran-P5+1 talks

Russia aims to productive completion of the next round of nuclear talks between Iran and P5+1 (UNSC five permanent members and Germany), to be held in New York Sept. 18-26, Alexander Pankin, First Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN said.

He made the remarks speaking on the Iranian problem at the UN Security Council, ITAR-TASS news agency said Sept. 16.

The diplomat said Russia, for its part, will continue to do everything in its power for a final closing of the issues related to the Iranian nuclear program and cancelling the sanctions imposed on Iran with the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council.

"In this regard we welcome the holding of the next round of negotiation process on Sept. 18-26 in New York. We look for its productive completion," Pankin said.

On Sept. 15, the UNSC members were presented a report of the Chairman of the Iran Sanctions Committee, Australian diplomat Gary Quinlan.

He, in particular, said that the committee continues to discuss possible measures in connection with the incident that occurred on March 31, when Israel detained the Klos C ship in the Red Sea, which was carrying weapons, arguing that the ship was heading from Iran to the Gaza Strip, violating the current embargo.

A group of experts the UNSC committee came to the conclusion that the cargo indeed was coming from Iran, but its final destination was Sudan, which, however, does not negate the fact of violating the ban on Tehran's weapon supplies.

Quinlan said the committee sent a letter to Iran on July 9 about the incident, seeking explanation from the country.

The diplomat said that no response has been received from Iran so far.

In turn, Russia's deputy permanent representative said the experts' arguments on Iran's direct involvement in the incident do not convince Russia and the arguments were made on the basis of circumstantial evidences.

Pankin noted that even if the violation of the arms embargo is recognized, then one question remains unanswered for Moscow - who exactly violated the sanctions.

The diplomat also said the findings of independent experts reflect only their own point of view and are not a guide to action.

"At least, unless the committee makes a clear consensus decision in this regard," he said.

Pankin also warned the committee on any activity that goes beyond its immediate prerogatives.

He said that at this "critical stage" of the nuclear negotiations, "the substitution of real activity by certain political declarations seems absolutely untimely."